Improvement-in portable fences



T. A. H. CAMERON. PORTABLE FENCE;

N0. 192,229. Patented June 19, 1877.

NJEI'ERS, FHOTD-LITHOGRAFHEH, WASHINGTON. D Q

UNITED STATES PATENT FFIGE.

TILMON A. H. cAME'RoN, OF PETRA, MISSOURI.

IMPROVEMENT IN PORTABLE FENCES.

Specification forming part of Letters Patent No. 192,229, dated June 19, 1677 application filed To all whom it may concern:

v description as will enable othersskilled in the art to which it pertains to make and use the same, reference being hadto the accompanying drawings, in which similar lettersindicate corresponding parts in the different figures.

The object of this invention is to produce a fence in sections which may be readily united and set up to form pens and yards, or to inclose a field, and which may be quickly taken down and set up in another locality whenever required; and the invention consistsin the construction and arrangement of the different parts of which the fence is composed, as will be hereinafter fully set forth, and then specifically pointed out in the claims.

In the drawing, Figure l is a vertical section of the fence near a pair of the perpendicular supports, showing the relative arrangementof the parts. Fig. 2 is a side view show ing the method of arranging and joining two consecutive panels. Fig. 3 is a vertical sec tion showing a modification of the device, in

- which wires are used, instead of wood, for

braces. Fig. 4 is a plan showing the method of placing and uniting the ends of two rails. Fig. 5 represents aside view of two panels of a modification of the fence, in one of which three, and in the other two, rails are used, united to each other by vertical cross-pieces. Figs-6 and 7 showthe method of arranging the panels for the purpose of producing pens and yards of circular, triangular, or square form for inclosin'g stacks of hay or grain, 860. Fig. 8 illustrates themanner in which the panels are arranged in forming a zigzag or worm fence. Fig. 9 shows the panels when arranged to turn a square corner; and Fig. 10 shows the pins used for the purpose of connecting the ends of the rails to each other, and for driving into the ground at the ends of the braces to hold the fence firmly in position.

The rails A used in constructing this fence may be round poles, orof irregular shape, split from large timber, or of lumber sawed June 13, 1877.

into planks or scantlings, the principal requisite being that theyshould be squared or flattened, for the length of a foot or more, at each end. They are then further prepared These supports are placed at a proper distance apart, and connected by the crosspieces D, which are nailed or otherwise secured to the supports (J, at such vertical distances from each other as will give the desired spacing or number of rails required to form the fence, the number varyingas the purpose to which the fence is to be applied varies. At their lower ends these supports 0 may rest upon a plank or block, which also sustains the lower rail of the fence. But if the earth be hard nothing of this kind will be required, except for the purpose of keeping the lower rail from the ground, and the feet of the vertical supports may be retained in place by a wire loop and pin, as shown in Fig. 3 of the drawings. In order to secure and retain the fence in a perpendicular position, braces B are adjustably attached to the upper ends of the vertical supports 0, and extend diagonally to the ground upon each side,

where they are secured by allowing them to enter the ground a short distance, or by a hooked pin, 0, driven through the wire loop d. Where these braces are of wood, as shown in Fig.1, they may be connected to each other and to the vertical supports near the surface of the ground by extending the two ends of the lower cross-piece D',in opposite directions until they reach the braces, to which they are secured by nailing, or otherwise by suita'olemeans. But, instead of these wooden braces, braces formedof Wire may be used when desired, arranged as is clearly shownin Fig. 3 of the drawings. The use of wire for this purpose will be, in many places,

cheaper than wood, and gives a firm support tothe fence; but I prefer the method of construction illustrated in Fig. 1, as the stiff wooden brace acts in both directions, and will retain the fence in its vertical position, even if several consecutive braces upon one side should be accidentally removed, which would not be the ease with the wire brace.

In erecting this fence, the vertical supports O may be first placed in position at such distances from each other as the length of the rails forming the panel may require. The rails are then inserted between the vertical supports, the edges of which enter the notches a, near each end of the rails, after which the pins 1) are inserted, thereby preventing all endwise or upward motion of the rail, and effectually stopping cattle from removing them by rubbing against the fence, or otherwise. This method of construction gives great ad vantages over the fences in common use, from the facility with which it may be opened for the passage of carts, or other purposes, at any point desired, it being only necessary to remove the pins 1) from the rails forming a panel to allow of their ready removal. When thin plank are used for the rails of the fence the pins 12 may pass through the vertical supports and rails, thus dispensing with the notches a, as is shown by Fig.

3, in which the three upper rails of a six-rail fence are of full size, the three lower ones being of thin plank.

Having thus described my invention, I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent of the United States, the following:

1. The rails A, provided with the notches a and perforations to receive the pins b, in combination with the vertical supports 0 and cross-pieces D, substantially as and for the purposes set forth.

2. The rails A, pins b, supports 0, and crosspieces D, in combination with the braces B, as and for the purpose specified.

3. The portable fence composed of the rails A having notches a near each end, pins 1), vertical supports 0, cross-pieces D, braces B, wire loops (1, and holding-pins c, all constructed. combined, and arranged in the manner set forth.

In testimony that I claim the foregoing as my own invention I hereunto atfix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

TILMON A. H. CAMERON.

Witnesses:

' J. W. HAMILTON JonNsoN,

JoHN G. TASKER. 

